They Made a Stink: Callery pear trees added to noxious weeds list; new tree sales banned

March 31, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

One of Pennsylvania’s most popular trees is “growing like a weed”—really.

The Callery pear tree, also called the Bradford pear, is known for its quick growth. But state officials recently placed the ornamental pear tree on the noxious weed list, labeled it an invasive species, and banned it from being sold or cultivated in the state. In a nutshell, it’s an illegal weed.

What’s so bad about this specific tree, you might ask? Despite the tree’s popularity as a longtime landscaping favorite, it has a stinky reputation.

“They smell horrid,” said Shannon Powers of the state Department of Agriculture, referring to the trees’ white spring blossoms. Stench aside, that’s not primarily why the trees are troublesome.

Root Cause

“It’s invasive, in comparison to native species that belong here,” Powers said. “An invasive species has the potential to harm our economy and ecosystem. And the harm to the economy comes in, when it damages agriculture.”

Today, the trees—native to Asia—are prevalent throughout Pennsylvania, but the root of the problem goes back a century.

“Callery pears were brought here intentionally in the early 1900s when researchers were looking for a blight resistant species to cross-pollinate with other trees,” said Powers. “No one maliciously brought them here. These pear trees are hardy, resist disease, and flourish, but they’ve become invasive and have spread into woodlands and pastures much more readily than anyone would have thought.”

It’s both costly and challenging to remove them, especially from farmland.

Pennsylvania law classifies three categories of noxious weeds.

Class A weeds, although well-established, are capable of being wiped out. Callery pear trees fall into class B because “they’re so widely established that we can’t feasibly eradicate them, but we can work to control them,” Powers said. The popular, deep-red Japanese barberry shrubs were also recently deemed class B noxious weeds because, not only are the prickly plants invasive, non-natives, but they harbor ticks—serving as potential breeding grounds for Lyme disease. Class C weeds are those not yet detected in Pennsylvania, but on the federal watch list.

So, what should homeowners do about Callery pear trees?

“We’re not saying everyone should go out and chop down their trees,” Powers said. “But property owners can keep an eye on the area where the trees appear to be spreading and get rid of seedlings.”

Sometimes, the prolific trees’ growth is actually their own downfall.

“They have poor form and tight branching, so Bradford pear trees split regularly because the branches get too heavy,” said Ellen Roane, Harrisburg city forester.

When that happens, she said, it’s actually a good excuse to remove the entire tree.

It’s a common scene in Harrisburg because there are more Callery pear trees than you can shake a stick at. More than 700 were counted, Roane said, during the most recent inventory of city street trees. That means Callery pear trees account for more than 10% of the trees lining Harrisburg roadways.

Street trees are planted and maintained by property owners, but because they’re within the public right of way, they’re regulated by the city. When property owners contemplate planting trees, they must consult the city’s “approved species list.”

“The Callery pear hasn’t been on the approved species list for Harrisburg since at least 2015,” Roane said.

Her reaction when she heard the Department of Ag was banning further sales of the tree? “I thought, ‘Finally, thank God,’” she said.

But in the meantime, she’s stuck regulating these now-noxious trees.

“If it was on my property, I would remove it—it’s just really problematic,” Roane said. “We’re not mandating that at this point, but the city does have a program for low-income residents and senior citizens. We will remove or prune trees if they’re not in great condition, at no cost.”

The Norway maple is another tree on Roane’s hit list. It too, is “highly invasive,” she said, and slightly more prevalent than Callery pear trees in the city. Both are examples of streetscape species once thought to be good choices—but today, we’re paying for those mistakes of the past.

Leafy Lessons Learned

“The most important thing is, when you’re looking at your landscaping, learn about what you’re buying, look at what’s going to thrive in your area, and look for native plants,” Powers said. “Native plants are not going to cause problems down the road.”

Recommended street trees on Harrisburg’s “approved species list” today include red oak, swamp white oak, linden, black gum, serviceberry and the Kentucky coffee tree, among others.

Homeowners headed out to nurseries across the state this spring likely won’t find trees labeled Callery or Bradford pears anymore, although nurseries have two years to deplete their supply and comply with the ban. But there are plenty of better options.

“We had 523 trees arrive yesterday, and that’s just the beginning of our spring stock,” said Alicia, nursery manager, during the first week of March at Stauffers of Kissel Hill Linglestown.

Her best advice for native alternatives to Callery pears?

“The most popular trees, especially for spring blossoms, are actually cherry trees,” she said.

For more information on noxious weeds in Pennsylvania, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/NIPPP. For Harrisburg’s tree information, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov/parks-recreation-facilities/trees.

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Electric Avenue: Are EVs a good option for your average city driver? Our reporter wanted to find out

March 31, 2022 | by M. Diane McCormick

“When we get up to this red light,” said Faulkner Nissan of Harrisburg salesman Gavin Winfrey, “I want you to put your foot down. So, that way, you can feel the linear acceleration.”

“By put my foot down, you mean what?”

“I mean put your foot down on the gas,” Winfrey said. Then he corrected himself. “The accelerator.”

“Now?” I asked.

“Now.”

So, I accelerated. And I said, well, a word that’s not used in polite company.

“You weren’t expecting that, were you?”

“No, I was not!” I squealed as the Nissan LEAF practically punched the air with a gentle whir.

This story began on the question, “Is it practical to own an EV if you live in the city?” Many city residents might be ideologically inclined to stop chugging greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, but how do they charge up? No driveway. No garage. No charger around the corner. It’s a challenge, even enthusiasts agree.

But my research turned into one big test drive for me. I’ve been thinking about a new car. Will it be an EV? Read on.

Early Adopters

In early 2019, Doug Neidich drove his new Nissan LEAF to Pittsburgh. The trip took 10½ hours. He had time to ponder.

“I wanted to get into this early for the education I received, and when I was in the middle of Nowhere, Pennsylvania, two-thirds of the way to Pittsburgh at 11:30 at night, sitting in a Sheetz and waiting for the tow truck to show up, I sat there thinking, ‘Well, I was in this for the education, and I’m getting one,’” said Neidich, the CEO of Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development.

In Neidich’s defense, part of the learning experience was finding out that his LEAF charged to the European standard instead of the American. Finding a European-standard charger on your travels is “like finding a unicorn in the woods.” By now, he knows where they are and knows to double check that they are, in fact, operational.

For most EV owners today, chargers are popping up like mushrooms after a storm, and apps send them to those appropriate for their vehicles. Winfrey suggests that EV drivers talk to their employers about installing chargers. He also envisions a world where business owners entice customers to charge while they browse—which I noticed at the Neighbors & Smith plaza in Camp Hill.

However, chargers are not ubiquitous. Midtown resident Ryan Unger doesn’t know of any in his neighborhood. He takes his girlfriend’s Volkswagen ID.4 to the charger on 2nd and State streets or to the lineup outside the State Museum on 3rd Street.

Challenges arise. If it’s daytime, there’s parking to pay for—a hefty sum with downtown Harrisburg’s $4-an-hour fee. And while signage designates the spots for EVs only, it doesn’t seem to be enforced.

In fact, notes Neidich, there is a term for internal combustion engine vehicles owners who deliberately hog EV spaces—“ICEing the charger.”

But to all my what-ifs, there are answers. What if I don’t have time to charge? Find a fast charger, and find something to do for an hour or so. What if I’m planning a long trip? Chart out your stops and top off as you go to get through the next stage. What if the chargers are all taken? Rarely happens. What if my flivver breaks down in some remote spot, and I lost the crank handle?

Sorry. Wrong century.

“It’s one of those things where you do have to do your research,” Winfrey said. “If you know someone who has one, pull them aside, and talk to them. Get some tips and tricks. It’s not the same driving experience.”

Democratizing a Charge

Technology leaps forward, notes Andy Daga, CEO of Momentum Dynamics, Malvern. The EV charging stations now appearing are impractical in urban environments for their expense and susceptibility to vandalism and weather, he said.

Daga’s firm has developed automatic charging and is working toward its incorporation into a national charging network. The system uses magnetic induction to transmit power from an inground charging pad to a vehicle above.

In Daga’s vision of “organic charging,” automatic chargers are beneath the surface in parking lots at grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants and theaters.

“People have vehicles for reasons,” he said. “They go places. Why don’t we put the charging infrastructure in the places where they continually go? Park for 15 minutes or 30 or 60 minutes, and get 100 miles to 150 miles of range extension without spending a moment of your time charging. You won’t even need to think about it. It happens in the background, just like E-ZPass does.”

City dwellers aren’t alone in needing simplified access to charging, Daga said. Rural and suburban dwellers need answers, too—not to mention disabled motorists needing hands-free charging.

“The solution ultimately has to fit everybody’s lifestyle,” he said.

EVs actually have at least one urban advantage. City driving outperforms highway driving in mileage because a car sitting in traffic isn’t tapping into the battery.

“Once you drive an electric vehicle, you will never go back to a gasoline vehicle,” said Neidich.

Charging 101

If you’re “slim on time,” you need a fast charge, which still takes up to an hour for a full charge, said Winfrey. Below that, Level 2 chargers are increasingly available, but a full charge can take many hours. The day Winfrey discovered that the city of Harrisburg has chargers in the City Island parking garage, he plugged in his car “and was walking around taking photos of Harrisburg.”

So, owning an EV makes you stop and smell the roses?

“Oh, yeah,” said Winfrey. “Certainly.”

Many streetside chargers are Level 2, and overnight juicings are frequently mentioned. Even when Unger searches out a fast charger, he still needs to fill the time.

“I’ll just bring my iPad and watch a TV show or read while it charges,” he said.

He added that a viable charging network pumps up the economy.

“It is incumbent to build out that infrastructure if we want to be the location of choice for young professionals and younger residents,” Unger said. “Anything we can have to be more attractive to live in is a positive for us in this region.”

Plugging into a regular, 110-volt home outlet takes days to charge, but home upgrades to Level 2, 240-volt chargers are easy. Seriously. They’re on Amazon for $200. For city dwellers, stringing an extension cord to the street is not recommended, I’m told.

The city communications office didn’t respond to my emailed question about whether a resident could turn a backyard into a driveway for Level 2, at-home plug-ins.

Easier to ask forgiveness, I say.

Coming Up

Neidich has preregistered for Nissan’s next-gen EV, the 300-mile-range Ariya. Also, he read about an Israeli company promising, by 2024, a battery that gets 100 miles per five minutes of charge.

“When you talk about a city resident who doesn’t have a garage or doesn’t have off-street parking, and doesn’t have availability of a Level 2 charger within walking distance, that’s got to be their answer,” he said. “What they really want is what the world has come to completely take for granted with gasoline-powered vehicles—a quick stop at a fueling station, and, 15 minutes later, they’re in great shape.”

It’s coming in two or three years, he said. The world of EVs “is definitely changing in a hurry.”

And now for my decision. The new-car hungries are hard to deny, but my Nissan Sentra remains fun to drive. Yes, it’s emission-belching, but I’m a fuel-conscious driver. For me, a full charge on an EV could last a couple of weeks. For long trips, my crystal ball sees a convenient, fast-charging infrastructure and longer-range batteries in the near future.

So that’s my decision. In about two years, maybe the stars will align, and I’ll join the EV revolution.

Plus, Daga said, most automakers are committing to upfitting their EVs for automatic charging, which should incentivize progress on that organic experience. And if they’re not around by the time I get my EV, my first trip might be a hop across the river to Neighbors & Smith. Plug in my car, and then sip a One Good Woman coffee while I find a cute sweater at Little Black Dress and matching shoes at Plum Bottom? Yes, please. After all, I’ll doing my part for the environment.

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Floral Connections: Creator, client intersect, bond at Woodland Floral Design Co.

March 31, 2022 | by Molly Foster

Photos by Tales and Trees Photography

Serving others is not always one-size-fits-all.

Meaningful connection and impact can be found down all paths—both well worn and less so.

This is a lesson that Misha Dennison learned in late 2020, when she left her job as a social worker to become a florist full-time. And it’s helped form the basis for her Biglerville-based business, Woodland Floral Design Co.

“I always knew I wanted a job where I could help people, and when I thought about the wedding industry, I never equated being a wedding florist as being as much of a help as being a social worker,” Dennison said. “But, it’s really just a different way of serving people. Even if it is just through flowers, to me, it’s so much more than that.”

Dennison first explored floral design when she interned with C&J Catering several years ago. However, it wasn’t until a peer from high school posted on Facebook looking for an affordable wedding florist, after exhausted DIY efforts, that she fully gave it a try. And she offered to do it for free.

“We just paid for the florals,” said Alyssa Rowe Aucker of Carlisle, who married Lance Aucker in November 2019. “I wasn’t her best friend or her sister; I was just someone she vaguely knew from high school. It meant so much to me for her to go through that much effort to make my wedding day special, despite not getting much compensation out of it at the moment.”

But those first free floral creations for Aucker—a classic pairing of white roses and eucalyptus—have since paid off more than tenfold. If you scroll through Woodland Floral Design Co.’s Instagram feed, you’ll see just how much her business has blossomed. Last year, she averaged 65 weddings, and, as she entered the new year, she already was nearly booked for 2022.

The evolution of her designs over time tells a story, too. They all share locally sourced blooms and a mix of dried pieces, adding Dennison’s signature texture and whimsy. But, in each bouquet, you see bits of the bride’s personality pulled through. Some are composed of vibrant pinks, oranges and yellows, while others feature more muted neutrals and toffee tones.

“I can never really create the same design twice, because each is for a different couple,” Dennison said. “It’s inspired by them.”

From inquiry to day-of delivery, Dennison’s heart and hands are behind the Woodland Floral Design Co. brand. She does it all herself. And she has no intention of outsourcing any element of her work, even as the business grows, for the same reason she wants to stay within the wedding industry—the people.

“It’s so important to me to know that my clients aren’t just hiring a florist,” Dennison said. “They’re looking for someone to connect with.”

It’s a blurry line where Dennison ends and Woodland Floral Design Co. begins. In many ways, they’re one and the same. She lives a mission of serving others in her daily life, offering a gentle smile and an ear to listen to those who need it. And, if you were to visit her wilderness-nestled house, you’d see proof of her passion scattered in every room—stacks of inventory inching toward the ceiling and dried flowers delicately draped from curtain rods and laundry racks.

Dennison is excited that she soon will have a more defined space to channel her creativity, as her screened-in-back porch is being transformed into an office that will overlook the woods. She hopes that this office will bring in an abundance of natural light—a blissful retreat as she tinkers on projects. It also will give her an opportunity to make more connections and build community with her clients, rooted in the same core mission that started it all.

“As my business has evolved, it has shown me and reminded me daily what my priorities are,” Dennison said. “So, as I look forward to what the future might hold, I think those priorities will be the same. I will still be asking myself, ‘How can I better serve?’—not only my clients, but my clients as people, whose lives, even if it’s just for a short period of time, intersect with mine.”

For more information on Woodland Floral Design Co., visit www.woodlandfloraldesignco.com.

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April Editor’s Note

March 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Last month, a sculpture of a newsboy stood proudly in front of our office—for a few hours anyway.

We participated in Harrisburg’s Ice & Fire Festival, which featured ice sculptures placed throughout the city. A paperboy—perfect for us!

A warm weekend followed by rain showers quickly reduced the little guy to a formless, blobby shape and then to a cold puddle of water.

As I assessed the situation, mid-melt, some wise guy walked up to me and said, “He’s mostly gone. Kinda like the newspaper industry, huh?”

Ouch.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong either. Over the past few years, Dauphin County alone has lost three venerable weekly newspapers. By my count, only two papers based in the county still exist that regularly publish news.

There was a time—and it wasn’t terribly long ago—when a town of any decent size had its own local newspaper. There were more than a dozen in Dauphin County alone.

You may not have read them to find out what was happening in China, but that wasn’t their purpose. You read them to find out what was happening down the block, which, in the scope of things, was likely a lot more important to your life.

Council actions, the school board, local businesses, development—it was all there. Local ads, too, for restaurants, realtors, retailers, etc. So much has been lost. No Facebook page can replace the reliable, relevant information that’s disappeared from so many communities.

At TheBurg, we’ve adapted by combining old-school newspapering with the best of the digital world, boosted by a modern aesthetic and true care for our community. Any business that’s survived the online revolution and two years of pandemic must be doing something right, and that applies doubly to the struggling newspaper industry.

So, open up the April issue and see for yourself what we’ve been up to. Then visit our website, read our online-only news, check out our blogs, listen to our podcast. We may have lost our icy newsy, but we believe that we’ve found a winning formula for high-quality, 21st-century local journalism.

Lawrance Binda
Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

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Reality Check: So, when are we getting all those new apartments?

March 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

We recently wrote about a rather audacious proposal for downtown Harrisburg.

A jet-setting diplomat bought the aged federal building and wants to transform it into hundreds of luxury apartments replete with a heated rooftop pool, restaurants, bars, a speakeasy, a health club, co-working space, a Michelin-rated chef and a “panoramic elevator.”

Online and via text and email, our readers wondered whether such a project could or would ever be built in little old, post-industrial Harrisburg. Some, floored by the ambitious plan, asked if it was “real.”

So, is it?

Well, the new owner ponied up $10 million for the old building, so there’s that, I responded. And he’s now on the hook for hundreds of thousands in yearly property taxes. Besides this, I honestly don’t know what to expect.

I then added this: I’ve been around this town long enough to treat every building proposal—not just this one—with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Over the past few years, developers have proposed many large projects for Harrisburg, mostly residential, but few have been built—or even begun. Today, hundreds of apartments exist on paper, with scant evidence that they’ll be sites of moving-in parties anytime soon.

But I don’t mean to dump on these would-be projects, either.

In truth, it’s hard as hell to undertake a substantial build, or even a major renovation, in Harrisburg. So, my skepticism has nothing to do with the intentions of the developers. I know that, over and over, they’ve faced mammoth issues getting their apartments off the page and into the air.

For decades, there was next-to-no residential development in Harrisburg. In fact, the opposite happened. Since the 1950s, the city lost about half of both its housing stock and its people, becoming a shadow of its once vibrant, bustling self. Despite being a capital city, Harrisburg was part of the long line of battered PA rust-belt towns stretching from the Delaware to the Ohio.

The tide started to turn only recently as more people began discovering this well-located, often-charming city with a singular waterfront. First, several local developers bought up long-shuttered and underused old properties for conversion to small- and mid-sized apartment buildings. Then, starting a few years ago, proposals for new development and large-scale rehabs began to filter in.

And that’s basically where we stand today.

With a few notable exceptions, major residential development seems to have stalled. As I say, I believe that, generally, the builders are well intentioned, their projects a response to surging demand for housing in Harrisburg. However, they face two enormous, related problems.

First, despite rising rents in the city, developers still have trouble getting projects to “pencil out,” developer lingo for being profitable—or at least breaking even. Over the past year, skyrocketing construction costs and, now, rising interest rates and a skilled labor shortage, have only made this existing problem worse.

Secondly, Harrisburg has had challenges attracting outside investment. Many of the city’s larger proposals will cost tens of millions, requiring deeper pockets than typically found around central PA. The big money rarely makes it in here, as potential financers calculate that they can get a better return elsewhere.

This leaves many projects reliant on both local sources and on subsidies.

I like it that people with roots here want to build here. These developers understand the city, the people and the market better than an outsider, and many are willing to accept a lower return on investment or hold a property long-term to make a project work. But, as I said earlier, despite their good intentions, they often can’t undertake them without the help of outside funds.

To help close the financing gap, some developers have sought subsidies, usually in the form of state redevelopment grants. But these grants, however coveted and competitive, usually cover just a small part of a large project. With labor and material costs running hot, a million or two bucks, at this point, probably won’t make that much difference to a project’s fate.

So, are these projects real? That is, are they really going to happen anytime soon?

Over the past few years, I’ve gone from, “I think so,” to, “I don’t know.” As things stand today, these big projects face formidable obstacles on the road to their ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

A few years from now, will I be relaxing by a stunning new rooftop pool in downtown Harrisburg, Capitol dome in view, cold margarita in hand?

Let’s just say that, as it stands, I’m holding off on buying that Speedo.

Lawrance Binda is co-publisher/editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

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Community Corner: Notable events in April

March 31, 2022 | by Missy Smith

Get That Job

April 1-29: Attend Get that Job! workshops virtually or in-person at Fredericksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, on Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Learn how to present your best self with a strong resume, concise cover letter, targeted interview, good communication and more. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

HBG Flea
April 2: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square, Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for growth in the community by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com

Book Release

April 2: Maria V. Snyder celebrates the release of “Up to the Challenge,” a collection of short speculative fiction at Cupboard Maker Books, 157 N. Enola Rd., Enola, 1 to 3 p.m. www.cupboardmaker.com

Book Sales
April 2, 16: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, will hold pre-owned book sales on first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across from the library. Shop for books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, records, tote bags, notecards and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Maple Sugar Fest

April 3: Learn the mysteries of making maple syrup, Native American sugar making, tree tapping and children’s activities at the Maple Sugar Festival at Fort Hunter, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 12 to 4 p.m. Taste test different types of maple syrup and shop a variety of maple products. www.forthunter.org

Art in the Wild
April 3: Meet Art in the Wild artists as they put the finishing touches on their installations for Wildwood Park’s annual outdoor art exhibit, with a theme of “Sunlight and Shadows.” Take a self-guided, 3-mile trail walk to meet the artists and observe the process of creating outdoor art, 1 to 3 p.m. www.wildwoodlake.org

Stand Against Racism
April 4-May 2: YWCA Greater Harrisburg hosts “Stand Against Racism Challenge: A Virtual Community of Growth,” April 4 to May 2, in which participants can engage with curated articles, podcasts, videos, activities and more on the Challenge website or app. The annual Race Against Racism 5k run/walk will be held on May 14. www.ywcacarlisle.org

Kids Discover

April 5, 15: Young explorers ages 5 to 10 are invited to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, for the “Kids Discover” series. Participants can discover signs of life in vernal pools (thawing ground filled with water), on April 5, 2 to 4 p.m. On April 15, 10 to 11:30 a.m., they can search for and examine nests and make their own nest to take home. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Explore! Kids

April 6: Kids in grades 3 to 5 are invited to the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, to explore industries that helped shape the state, 11:30 a.m. “Explore!” programs are included with general admission, but space is limited. Sign up at the ground floor information desk. www.statemuseumpa.org

Peaceful Poses

April 6, 8: Children ages 3 and older are invited to a yoga adventure with Ann Fields, founder of Peaceful Poses Kids Yoga, at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill. On April 6 at 7:30 p.m., kids can wind down with PJ Yoga on Zoom, and, on April 8, they have the option to do virtual or in-person yoga at 10 a.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Spring Gardening

April 6, 13: Penn State Extension presents its “Veggie 101-201 Series” at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join Dauphin County Master Gardeners for an evening workshop virtually or in-person. Cost is $5. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Nature Lab
April 8: State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, hosts a talk with Bert Myers, director of environmental education for the state Department of Environmental Protection, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Learn about falcon natural history and Pennsylvania’s successful peregrine falcon reintroduction. www.statemuseumpa.org

Film Friday
April 8: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will show “Aga” on Film Friday. The Bulgarian film about Aga, Nanook and Sedna are the last members of their ethnic group and live in a yurt on the snow-covered fields in the far north. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Guitar Show
April 8-10: Artisan Guitar Show will be held at Best Western Premier and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. Visit with handcrafted guitar exhibitors, attend master classes and enjoy a concert series. www.artisanguitarshow.com

Craft Sale
April 9: Central Dauphin High School Band Boosters hosts its 30th Annual Craft Sale at 437 Piketown Rd., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for handmade items from more than 150 vendors. Parking and admission are free. Proceeds benefit high school band programs. www.cdramband.org

Bunny Trail

April 9: Celebrate spring on the bunny trail throughout the Harsco Science Center at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The trail includes craft stations, Hershey’s candy stations and photos with the Easter Bunny. Tickets are $5 per person; kids 2 and younger are free. www.whitakercenter.org

Volunteer Day
April 9: Enjoy the outdoors and help with park and habitat enhancement projects at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tools and work gloves provided, and refreshments will be available. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Curious Kids
April 14: State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, invites kids ages 3 to 6 and their families to “Curiosity Kids” at 11:30 a.m. Learn the history of pretzels and why Pennsylvania is the largest producer in America. Test your pretzel twisting skills. www.statemuseumpa.org

Food Rally

April 14: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, March to December, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants, and cap off the evening with shopping and special promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Spring Happy Hour
April 14: YWCA Junior Board will hold its spring happy hour, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Harrisburg Country Club, 401 Fishing Creek Valley Rd. Tickets are $20 in advance. Proceeds benefit YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Camp Reily Program. www.ywcahbg.org/events

3rd in The Burg
April 15: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Easter Dinner

April 17: Enjoy a free Easter meal at JFT Recovery and Veterans Support Services, 300 Market St., Lemoyne, 2 to 6 p.m. Side dishes are welcome but not required. www.jft-rvss.org

Plein Air

April 18-27: Artists will paint outdoors on both sides of the Susquehanna River during the 2nd annual River Towns Plein Air event hosted by Marietta Art Alive. Public is invited to observe artists at work. The 10-day painting period culminates in an art exhibit opening on April 29 at 5 p.m. at Marietta Community House Studio 264. www.mariettaartalive.com

Earth Day

April 20: Kids in grades 3 to 5 can learn about reducing, reusing and recycling at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, during Explore! Earth Day at 11:30 a.m. www.statemuseumpa.org

Embrace Grace

April 20: Single and Pregnant? Make friends in a judgment-free community of women who want to encourage and support you. Receive a free baby shower too. Event at 7 p.m., Christian Life Assembly, 2645 Lisburn Rd., Camp Hill. Pre-registration required. www.clacamphill.churchcenter.com

Book Sale
April 21-24: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will host its Spring Book and Media Sale, April 21 and 22, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 23, 1 to 5 p.m., and April 24, 1 to 4 p.m. (bag sale day). www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Fundraising Event
April 22: Vision Resources of Central PA hosts the 22nd Annual Visions of Monte Carlo benefit fundraiser at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey, 4650 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg, for a dinner, auction, raffles, music, dancing, casino-style games and more, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.vrocp.org

Taste of the Chamber
April 22: West Shore Chamber of Commerce holds “Soiree by the Beeches,” with live music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres by the water at Allenberry Resort, 1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs, 7 to 10 p.m. Wear your best prom formal attire. www.wschamber.org

Free Spa Night
April 22: Spa night for single moms, with free neck massage, facials, foot soaks, food, coffee and more. Event takes place at Christian Life Assembly, 2645 Lisburn Rd., Camp Hill. Pre-registration required. www.clacamphill.com/events

Litter Cleanup
April 23: You can make Harrisburg a cleaner and safer place to live, work and play by participating in the 10th Annual Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup. This event leaves a huge impact in a few short hours every year. www.cactricounty.org/ghlc

Wetlands Festival
April 23: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s wetlands with a day of free, fun and educational activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy wildlife exhibits, displays and music and talk to representatives from environmental groups. www.wildwoodlake.org

Civil War Presentation
April 23: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, offers the next presentation in its “Lessons in History” speaker series, “Slogging to Richmond: Environmental Influences on the Union Failed Peninsula Campaign, 1862,” with Judkin Browning and Timothy Silver, 1 to 2 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Bag Bingo

April 23: Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Delta Research and Education Foundation will host “Designer Bag Bingo,” 4 to 7 p.m., at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. Doors open at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. www.dstharrisburg.org

Flower Walk

April 24: Take a walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1:30 to 3 p.m., to look for early spring flowers such as Dutchman’s breeches, trout lilies, spring beauties and flowering trees. Learn interesting facts about these early spring bloomers. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

State of Arms
April 25: Steven Pifer, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who studies nuclear arms control, Ukraine, and Russia, will discuss the current situation in Ukraine in a Foreign Policy Association webinar at 7:30 p.m. www.fpaharrisburg.org

Award Ceremony

April 28: Join the Salvation Army Harrisburg in honoring Micah Parsons with the “Celebration of Potential” award at its annual community event at The Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr., 6:30 p.m. Parsons is a Harrisburg native, Penn State alum, Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Defensive Rookie of the Year. www.pa.salvationarmy.org/harrisburg-pa

Library Benefit

April 29: Elizabethtown Public Library, 10 South Market St., hosts “A Taste of Western Lancaster County,” a celebration of food, beverage, music and fellowship, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Savor samplings from regional restaurants and enjoy wine, beer tastings, and live entertainment by local artists. www.etownpubliclibrary.org

Plant Sale

April 30: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts their annual plant sale at Foundation House, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop for annuals, vegetables, herbs, perennials and more. Susanna Reppert of the Rosemary House will offer a free workshop on growing and using herbs at 10 a.m. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Odd Ones
April 30: Odd Ones Spring Bizarre will be held at The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop for unique and handcrafted gifts at this spring alternative arts and crafts event. www.millworksharrisburg.com

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April News Digest

March 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Outsources Engineer Post

Harrisburg City Council last month approved an administration plan to outsource the city engineer duties to an outside firm, at least for a while.

Council voted to hire Lower Paxton Township-based Dawood Engineering to serve in the position for up to a year, while the city continues to seek out a qualified candidate for the role.

The agreement with Dawood sets the price cap for its services at $150,000.

Wayne Martin served as the previous city engineer, but left his position in November.

According to Isaac Gaylord, deputy city solicitor, the city is required to have a professional engineer sign off on many of its construction projects. Dawood will fill that role.

While council approved the contract with Dawood, many members voiced concern over not having a professional engineer on staff.

“I implore the city to continue their search for an engineer,” said council member Westburn Majors. “As a city that has a lot of projects and will have a lot of money coming through it over the next four to five years, it is going to be incumbent upon us having someone on staff, full-time to be able to handle the work.”

In other news, council approved the re-development of a vacant property, formerly the Taproom bar, at 1402 N. 3rd St. The vote was 5-2, with council President Danielle Bowers and council member Jocelyn Rawls voting against the project.

Sean Linder and his Bethlehem-based investment group, SJL Rentals LLC, plan to renovate the 4,000-square-foot, three-floor building to include five apartment units and a first-floor commercial space.

Derry Street Improvements Proposed

Derry Street in Harrisburg soon may see substantial improvements, as PennDOT has announced a major road construction project.

Last month, the state Department of Transportation released proposed plans for an initiative to improve the safety of the Derry Street corridor, which runs through Harrisburg, Swatara Township and Paxtang. The project would extend from the intersection of 13th and Derry streets, east to the intersection of 40th and Derry streets.

According to PennDOT, a safety study was previously conducted along Derry Street. After discussions with the city and Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, PennDOT formulated a plan to improve the street.

PennDOT has proposed work that includes milling and overlay of the existing pavement, signage upgrades and pavement marking improvements.

The commonwealth also may make improvements at two intersections—at Derry, 19th and Berryhill streets and at Derry, 21st and Brookwood streets. According to PennDOT, these intersections have multiple roads at skewed angles that cause safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists. Pedestrian traffic is also significant in the area of the intersections since both Rowland Intermediate School and Scott Elementary School are nearby.

For these intersections, PennDOT is considering roundabouts, pedestrian facility upgrades and/or traffic signal improvements.

The project is currently in the design phase, and construction is expected to take place in 2024. Project cost is estimated at $6.2 million.

PennDOT is accepting public input on the project through April 8.

Shriners Opt to Keep Zembo

Harrisburg’s historic Zembo Shrine is no longer for sale, as the fraternal organization has decided to keep and restore the building.
According to the Zembo Shriners, the group plans to retain its 92-year-old building and focus on reviving it as an event space for the Harrisburg area.

“The Zembo Shrine has always been a big part of the city, and we are interested in keeping it a part of the city and keeping that heritage alive,” said Seth Anthony, a Zembo board member. “We want to bring the building back to its former state as a premier events venue.”

The 62,621-square-foot building, at N. 3rd and Division streets in Harrisburg, was put on the market in 2017. At the time, the group determined that keeping the large building would be too difficult, considering declining membership and the increasing costs of taxes, maintenance and utilities.

Over the five years, the building received three offers, according to Mike Smith, potentate of the Zembo Shriners. It was originally listed at $950,000 and most recently lowered to around $700,000.

“We were left at the altar three times,” Smith said. “We were tired of that. We needed to focus on what we do.”

The Moorish Revival-style building will continue to serve as a meeting place for the Shriners and as an events venue.

Anthony said that some restoration and updates are needed, such as work on the roof of the building, which will take a few years to complete.

But overall, David Morrison, executive director of Historic Harrisburg Association, said that the building is in great shape.

“It’s been very well maintained,” he said. “I’m very optimistic that what they’re planning is very do-able. This building is one of a kind in Pennsylvania, not to mention Harrisburg.”

Morrison was happy to hear that the Zembo Shrine was pulled from the market.

“Retaining ownership is so much better,” he said. “They know their own building.”

According to Anthony, the Shriners have received increased interest in rentals of the event space. He believes that some of that is due to a “post-COVID bounce back” of people looking to host and attend events, he said.

Menaker Apartments to Debut

A Harrisburg developer has set an early spring date to debut its latest apartment project.

Harristown Enterprises said last month that the Menaker Apartments would open for tenants in April. Tours of the model unit have already begun.

“We’re very excited about this project,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown. “We believe that potential tenants will love these beautiful new units, some with stunning views, in a landmark Harrisburg building.”

Originally constructed in 1906, the building is located on Market Square in Harrisburg. It was built for the Johnston Paper Co., a Harrisburg-based paper products manufacturer, as office and retail space. Most recently, it housed the Skarlatos Zonarich law firm.

In 2018, Harristown purchased the six-story, 33,809-square-foot building and, last year, began the conversion to an apartment building featuring 28 one- and two-bedroom units. The building interior has been completely renovated for residential use, but the historic exterior has been preserved and restored.

The building is named for Mortimer Menaker, a former chairman of the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority who oversaw a previous renovation in 1977.

At the Menaker Apartments, one bedroom/one bathroom units range in size from 600 to 700 square feet at a monthly rental rate of $1,200, plus electric, according to Harristown. Two-bedroom, 1.5-bath units total about 700 square feet for about $1,400 a month. Two-bed/two-bath apartments exceed 1,000 square feet at $1,595 to $1,625 a month, plus electric, Harristown said.

Each unit in the pet-friendly building features a full-sized washer and dryer and stainless steel appliances, Harristown said. In addition to the apartments, the building has a 2,000-square-foot, ground-floor space for a future restaurant or retailer.

In recent years, Harristown has converted numerous empty and underused office buildings to residential use in downtown Harrisburg. In addition, it is renovating an eight-story, century-old commercial building at 112 Market St. into 35 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Tour de Belt Returns Live

After a lengthy hiatus, the Harrisburg area’s largest annual biking event will return live this year, capped by a new festival at the finishing line.
The Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) announced last month that the Tour de Belt will return as an in-person ride after two years as a virtual, “ride-when-you-can” event.

“Tour de Belt is a fun-filled event for bikers, walkers, runners and their families that promotes healthy activity and environmental stewardship,” said Neelam Zaver, CAGA board member and Tour de Belt committee chair. “It also raises much-needed funds to support one of the capital region’s most beloved outdoor resources, the Greenbelt.”

In the Tour de Belt, participants loop around the 24-mile Capital Area Greenbelt at their own pace, starting on the main HACC campus in Harrisburg. This year’s event, which takes place June 5, will finish on the adjacent campus of Commonwealth Charter Academy, where a “Finish Line Fest” will be held, featuring live music and entertainment, food trucks and other fun activities, according to CAGA.

“We think that, with the addition of the Finish Line Fest, this will truly become a community event for everyone to enjoy,” Zaver said. “Even if you choose not to bike in the Tour de Belt, you can come out, have a good time, and support an important cause.”

In past years, the Tour de Belt has brought in more than 1,000 registered participants and over 100 volunteers, and organizers said that they expect potentially record-breaking participation this year. A virtual option also will be available this year, according to CAGA.

Proceeds raised by the Tour de Belt and Finish Line Fest will benefit CAGA and will be used to support improvements and maintenance of the Greenbelt. In 2021, the budget for these efforts surpassed $7 million and included increased safety of trail crossings at intersections, newly paved sections of the trail, and completion of the new Fort Hunter connection, according to CAGA.

Grants for Greenbelt

Two big projects soon will begin on the Capital Area Greenbelt, funded by recent grants from the commonwealth.

Last month, the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) announced that it received more than $280,000 for environmental infrastructure projects centered on two creeks that run through the 24-mile park and trail system.

“We’re extremely grateful to have been selected to receive this grant funding and look forward to the important and long-lasting benefits it will bring to our community through the completion of two key environmental projects,” said CAGA Board President Mike Shaull.

A $230,150 Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be used to restore 500 feet of stream bank on Lower Spring Creek near the Ivey Lane Apartment complex. Additional funding from CAGA and Skelly & Loy Inc. complement the grant, bringing the total project spend to $300,000, according to CAGA.

CAGA shared that it received the competitive grant over more than 200 other eligible applications.

A second grant of $54,600 from the Community Conservation Partnership Program, administered by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), was also awarded.

The funding, coupled with an annual maintenance grant from Harrisburg city and CAGA contributions, will be used to restore the riparian buffer on Lower Spring Creek from 19th to 28th streets, CAGA said. The project, which will include the removal of invasive species and the planting of 1,800 trees and shrubs, will have a total cost of $150,000.

In other Greenbelt news, CAGA stated that the Phoenix Park loop will be closed through April 15 due to construction work related to the “Tiny Home Veterans Village.”

Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania plans to construct a small village of 15 “tiny homes,” plus a community center, to provide housing and support services for homeless veterans.

Home Sales Dip, Prices Rise

Home sales dipped in the Harrisburg area in February, but the median price rose substantially, according to the latest monthly sales report.

For the three-county region, 456 previously owned houses sold during the month, compared to 471 in February 2021. However, the median price increased to $227,000 versus $194,900 in the year-ago period, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 233 homes, a decrease of 11 units, but the median price leaped to $193,550 compared to $170,450 a year ago, according to GHAR.

Cumberland County saw a 10-unit drop in total sales, to 196 homes, but the median price rallied to $270,800 versus $231,500 the prior February, GHAR stated.

In Perry County, sales were nearly flat at 20 homes, a decrease of one unit, but the median price also was much higher, to $189,900 in February from $165,000 a year ago, according to GHAR.

The pace of sales was mostly unchanged, as “days on the market” totaled 29 days, versus 30 days in February 2021, said GHAR.

So Noted

Danielle Vincent has been named the new director of business development for Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority. Vincent has more than 14 years of experience in destination sales and sports development, including with The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau.

Death Cab for Cutie will make a return visit to Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park this summer, according to organizer Harrisburg University Presents. The band, which re-inaugurated big-time outdoors concerts in the city three years ago, is slated to play on July 14.

Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup marks a decade of city beautification on April 23, according to co-organizer Tri County Community Action. Those interested in volunteering as individuals or groups should visit www.cactricounty.org/ghlc.

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra will return to the Forum, its long-time home, for the 2022-23 concert season, it was announced last month. The HSO has been playing in the Scottish Rite Theatre for the current season while the commonwealth completes a restoration of 91-year-old Forum, which is part of the Capitol Complex.

John Longstreet will retire as the president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association in July, according to PRLA. He has led the organization since 2014 and has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry. PRLA said it is launching a search for Longstreet’s replacement.

Pursuit Coworking is the new name of the Harrisburg-based co-working venture formerly called StartUp Harrisburg. Owners Adam Porter and Adam Brackbill said that the new name and brand better reflect their core business, especially as they seek expansion opportunities.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2515: L. Truong to C. Vu, $90,600

Benton St., 521: W. Phoenix & D. Holmes to A. & R. Dumas, $175,000

Berryhill St., 1948: R. Perrin & D. Rallo to E. Payne & F. Vaye, $70,000

Boas St., 1823: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to Easter Funding LLC, $144,900

Brookwood St., 2500: KB Investments to Brookwood Apartments LLC, $2,854,000

Curtin St., 511: S. Decena to R. Montero, $65,000

Curtin St., 533: J. Vogelsong to Franklin Real Estate USA Inc., $40,000

Delaware St., 259: R. Goodfriend to S. Tanniru, $162,500

Derry St., 1323: Azzu Rental LLC to Best By LLC, $120,000

Derry St., 2029: RNM Properties LLC to S. Ginder, $98,000

Forster St., 1835: Leonard J. Dobson Family LP to C. Woods, $42,500

Forster St., 1912: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to RA Love Homes LLC, $125,000

Fulton St., 1400: Heller Investments LLC to L. Bowman, $150,000

Fulton St., 1941: P. Sisemore & K. Hugo to J. Carter, $125,000

Green St., 1705: J. Tinnick to S. & R. Estrella, $125,000

Green St., 2106: Segue Systems LLC to R. Bair, $119,900

Greenwood St., 2111: SPG Capital LLC to GFG Properties LLC, $47,000

Greenwood St., 2507: C. Everett to D. Jimenez, $175,500

Hale Ave., 442: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to M. Estrada, $120,000

Hamilton St., 204: T. & D. Santry to F. Pryzbylkowski, $158,000

Hamilton St., 338: W. Bower c/o City Limits Realty to T. & L. Sneidman, $80,000

Herr St., 1406: MJE Properties LLC to Cooperwink LLC, $47,000

Hoffman St., 3229: J. & B. Rodriguez to T. Nunziato, $172,000

James St., 1331: I. Mallouli to T. Davis, $140,000

Jefferson St., 2512: M. Wright to Ingle Services LLC, $64,900

Kelker St., 435: E. Gish to G. Rannels, $165,000

Kensington St., 2013: D. & D. Constanza to S. Sanchez & M. Moreno, $57,000

Kensington St., 2128: S. James to W. & C. Scott, $45,500

Lewis St., 200: Chalet Series III Trust to VRAM Homes LLC, $80,000

Lexington St., 2558: MAMC Enterprises LLC to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $67,000

Logan St., 1607: M. Mtere & F. Laoukili to M. Cossick, $105,500

Logan St., 2163: MAMC Enterprises LLC to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $45,000

Logan St., 2438: NRZ Pass Through Trust XVIII and Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing to M. Iman, $85,000

Luce St., 2320: Global Reach LLC to J. Zabala, $80,962

Maclay St., 247: Huat Keo Estate to Penn Investment National Group LLC, $150,000

Manada St., 1921: Z. Knorr to D. Wirth, $105,000

Market St., 1254: Tang & Perkins Property Management LLC to NK Enterprise LLC, $85,000

Market St., 1724: XII Stone Congregational to P. Azzu, $75,000

Market St., 1922: M. Dowling to M. & S. Mejia, $84,000

Muench St., 206: T. Williams to J. Hartzler, $60,000

N. 2nd St., 1805: Keystone Properties Group LLC to Penn Investment National Group LLC, $110,000

N. 2nd St., 2220: Planet 3 Properties LLC to Roz Diamond I Do LLC, $123,000

N. 2nd St., 2406: KMM Development LLC to B. & T. Rossner, $180,000

N. 2nd St., 3005: F. Ramirez to C. Cox, $180,000

N. 2nd St., 3033: D. Madsen to E. Fleck, $135,500

N. 3rd St., 1322: West End Republican Club to Calder Street Development LLC, $125,000

N. 3rd St., 3006: K. & H. Lewin to C. Chubb, $140,000

N. 4th St., 1731: J. & T. Randolph to F. Fouse & C. Kennedy, $181,000

N. 4th St., 2336: A. & A. Barras to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $55,000

N. 5th St., 3000: M. Evans to K. Short, $209,900

N. 5th St., 3132: R. & D. Corrigan to D. Braun, $186,000

N. 6th St., 1522, 1524 & 1526 and 1521, 1523 & 1527 N. 5th St.: D. Carter to Vice Capital LLC, $500,000

N. 6th St., 2720: T. Hardison to A. & J. Rodriguez, $112,000

N. 14th St., 1110: E&T Enterprises LLC to R. Cortes, $65,000

N. 16th St., 25: Green Giraffe LLC to S. Karki, $142,700

N. 17th St., 99: J. Glick to AOM Capital LLC, $70,000

N. 19th St., 1011: Hilltop Property Group LLC to A. Bouhach, $50,000

N. Summit St., 123: NRA Group LLC to 101 S. 17th Street LLC, $60,000

Orange St., 2308, 2310 & 2312: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Greenlow Family Trust Utd., $535,935

Oxford St., 611: C. Gorman to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $51,661

Peffer St., 323: Great Row LLC to Global Reach LLC, $82,000

Penn St., 2132: J. & S. Compton to M. & W. Eisenstein, $72,000

Reel St., 2419: R&K Realty Group LP to L. & S. Street, $129,000

Reel St., 2627: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to E. Tatarevic, $132,500

Reel St., 2630: W. Jackson to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $59,000

Regina St., 1710: Matt Walter LLC to BYD Properties, $42,500

Rudy Rd., 2472: A. Maldonado to K. Weldeghbrial, $99,000

Rumson Dr., 305: L. & L. Lara to L. Fidler, $121,000

Sassafras St., 267: B. Koplinski to L. & R. Cline, $92,000

Schuykill St., 536: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Easter Funding LLC, $179,995

Seneca St., 530: Wofford Enterprises Ltd. to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $65,000

S. 13th St., 405: P. Peffley to S. Marquez & E. Rodriguez, $54,000

S. 13th St., 1441: D. Tran to F. Mbodj, $86,000

S. 17th St., 26: R. Anderson to M. & U. Ali, $56,000

S. 17th St., 303: Anpat LLC to W. Macon, $65,000

S. 17th St., 909: P. Do to Barboza Properties LLC, $670,000

S. 18th St., 31 & 33: Capital City Investment Properties LLC to 63-63 Henry Street LLC, $310,000

S. 26th St., 648: D. Dunlap to M. Rivera, $135,000

S. 29th St., 500: N. Vo & H. Lam to C. Lam, $200,000

State St., 231, Unit 703: S. Khaliq to S. & Y. Yates, $160,000

Susquehanna St., 1520: A. Logan to D. Bunhu, $90,000

Swatara St., 2041: L. & J. Kell to J. Mulvihill, $59,000

Swatara St., 2140: S. Ginder to J. Zabala, $87,600

Sylvan Ter., 121: M. Peguero to A. Jaiyesimi, $85,000

Valley Rd., 2313: K. & E. High to H. Cramer, $225,000

Verbeke St., 216: M. Minnicino to M. Nemeth, $153,500

Walnut St., 228: United States of America to RRF Building LLC, $10,010,000

Whitehall St., 1821: Double C Group Inc. to C. Bonner, $140,000

Whitehall St., 1937: Tassia Corp. to D. Boyle, $40,000

Woodbine St., 626 & 628: L. Flores to D. Boyle, $45,000

Harrisburg property sales for February 2022, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Reigner Reigns, over the Outdoors: Pennsylvania welcomes its first-ever director of outdoor recreation

March 31, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

Nathan Reigner

Seeing an increase in “OOO” messages these days? As more and more Pennsylvanians enjoy nature and time outdoors, “out of office,” that’s exactly why the state created a new office—of outdoor recreation.

“We often think about recreation—literally something we do with our free time—as frivolous or unnecessary,” said Nathan Reigner, 42, Pennsylvania’s first director of outdoor recreation. “But, recently, we all started to realize it’s not gravy—it’s actually meat and potatoes.”

The stats drive that point home: $11.8 billion of value added to the state economy plus $6.4 billion in wages for 146,000 Pennsylvanians, equaling the sixth-largest outdoor recreation economy in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“We need the office to make, advance and manage the point that outdoor recreation is a significant economic sector in the state of Pennsylvania,” Reigner said. “Simply put, my job is to expand and ensure the benefits of outdoor recreation to all Pennsylvanians as individuals, communities and the commonwealth.”

While it may be the dawning of a new era in state management, the boon in the great outdoors has been a decade in the making. The surge in hiking, biking and recreational pursuits began prior to the pandemic. But, Reigner said, the COVID-19 era has definitely put an exclamation point on nature’s value.

“With the pandemic—and the way we as individuals and as a society sought out recreation opportunities for safety, for time with community, for respite—that burst of outdoor recreation participation, on top of what had been already a remarkable decade of growth in outdoor recreation, really highlighted the significance of the sector for us as a society,” Reigner said.

Rec Resources

Nationwide, the inception of outdoor recreation offices is trending. Pennsylvania, “Penn’s woods,” is the latest state to take stock of its rec assets. And Reigner has a lot to work with.

“We’ve got an incredible land base—bodies of water, mountains and valleys, rivers and forests,” Reigner said. “We’ve got more than 4 million acres of protected public land.”

This bounty includes one of the largest state park systems in the nation, along with “an incredible trail network.”

“Trails are like the backbone, the veins of outdoor recreation,” Reigner said.

That trail system includes two national scenic trails—the Appalachian Trail (AT) and North Country Trail, many additional hiking trails, nationally known mountain bike trails, and more designated or named rail trails than any other state.

Technology and creativity are growing rec’s range well beyond traditional hiking and camping to include gravel cycling—the fastest-growing segment of the bike market, Reigner said—as well as electric snowmobiles and ATVs, even something called “extreme tree climbing.”

Along with recreation’s upswing comes upkeep.

“We’ve also got a $1.5 billion backlog of needed maintenance in our state parks and forests,” Reigner said.

Recreation Vision

Maintenance is part of a balancing act—a feat of collaboration—within Reigner’s new post.

While the position is situated within the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Reigner will coordinate with state agencies that dovetail with recreation—the Department of Health, PennDOT, PA Game Commission, PA Fish and Boat Commission, as well as conservation and community development groups, chambers of commerce, municipalities, counties and federal partners.

Right now, Reigner is getting his feet wet, so to speak, by meeting with those partners, to set the office’s mission, priorities and structure “not from a top-down approach” but “collaboratively.”

He sees his role, appropriately within the Keystone State, as a “connector,” whose efforts will tie the great outdoors to a greater quality of life.

“Outdoor recreation is core to the health of Pennsylvanians,” Reigner said. “We found out that quality of life, as it grows out of access to natural and cultural heritage and amenities, is a better driver of economic development and community development in small and medium-sized rural and industrial communities than tax incentives or regulatory relief.”

His background laid the foundation for this groundbreaking position. A Philadelphia-area native, he describes a “joyous and free” childhood spent playing in the woods, scouting, hiking and camping. After earning his undergraduate degree at Gettysburg College, he worked in ag policy in Washington, D.C.

But it was through his volunteer work with the Potomac AT Club that he had a lightbulb moment. Ironically, he found his calling while lost in the woods (he jokingly calls it “getting turned around in the woods”).

“That experience stuck with me, that, simultaneously, I could have the feeling inside me that I was in the wilderness—that nobody had been there before … while at the same time I knew intellectually all the effort, management, administration, volunteering, budgeting and humanity that went into these places,” Reigner said. “And that kinda blew my mind—that I could have those two experiences within me at once, and it was at that point that I decided I wanted to devote my career, my life’s work, to outdoor recreation management.”

Following grad school and his master’s degree in forestry from Virginia Tech, then his PhD in natural resource management from the University of Vermont, Reigner returned to his home state. As a Penn State-based researcher, he was on the verge of moving to Greenland when Pennsylvania’s new outdoor rec position came calling.

“[This position] is going to take someone with Nathan’s passion for and understanding of outdoor recreation to see this mission through,” said Wesley Robinson, DCNR spokesperson. “That passion, combined with academic knowledge and personal interest in all things outdoors, helped make Nathan stand out among great candidates. We look forward to seeing the impact he will have.”

As he sets the bar for Pennsylvania’s newest office, Reigner is exploring the Harrisburg area’s rec opportunities out of office.

“When I’m not in the office, you can find me on the Greenbelt,” Reigner said. “There’s nothing like a sunset over the Susquehanna River, I gotta tell you.”

For more information on Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation opportunities, see dcnr.pa.gov. And to hear more about Reigner’s new position, tune into TheBurg Podcast’s April episode, which comes out April 8.

Stories on environmental topics are proudly sponsored by LCSWMA.

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Pole Lot of Fun: Metropolis aerial arts studio opens in Harrisburg, offering a unique fitness experience

March 31, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Mikee Bentz

You may have spotted Mikee Bentz in Negley or Reservoir park, on City Island or even on the state Capitol grounds.

He’s hard to miss when he breaks out his 10-foot-long portable pole, and suddenly he’s gripping, spinning and flipping on it, all muscle and long, platinum blonde hair.

Maybe you’ve seen him dedicatedly commuting to work on his bike, which Bentz said he does about 350 days out of the year.

Or he may have shampooed, trimmed and highlighted your hair in his salon chair at Metro Mikee’s in downtown Harrisburg.

Now, add one more to the list of places you may see him—at his new aerial arts studio that recently popped up on North Street.

Metropolis opened in November as a place for beginners and experienced students to learn the sport that Bentz has mastered over the last eight years.

“I always call pole dance gymnastics, but sideways,” he said. “Anyone of any fitness level, of any skill level, of any age, of any gender can become great at pole dance and aerial arts.”

Bentz knows that there are some misconceptions around pole dancing and aerial arts, but he quashed them, saying that his studio is focused on athleticism.

“People still call it the stripper pole,” he said. “No one strips at my studio.”

Express Yourself

Bentz, a central Pennsylvania native, grew up in a military family, which meant moving around a lot. He already felt different and faced bullying for being a member of the LGBTQ community, so it was even more difficult that he was often the new kid at school.

“I could either be the new kid at each of these schools with no friends because I was too shy, or I could be the new kid who just went out there and made friends,” he said. “So, I fought through a lot of my insecurities.”

He later started experimenting with cosmetology by practicing intricate nail painting designs on friends. Bentz had never cut hair before, but when his cousin asked him for a trim, he gave it a shot. He admitted that he mostly faked shearing sounds, only cutting off the smallest possible amount, but she stood up, declaring it was the best haircut of her life. Soon after, he enrolled in cosmetology school.

In 2016, Bentz opened Metro Mikee’s salon, just up the block from where he later would open Metropolis.

In addition to beauty, over the years Bentz discovered a passion for fitness. He would frequent the gym with friends, making his body stronger through weight lifting.

When Bentz was introduced to pole dance eight years ago, it felt like the perfect fit.

“I could take everything that already made up who I was and just express myself in this new way that I had literally no idea was even a thing,” he said.

In 2015, he bought his signature portable pole and, in his words, “the whole world became my gym.”

While that still may be true, Bentz now has his own space to practice his skills and teach his students at Metropolis.

He offers eight-week courses for beginners looking to try pole dance specifically or aerial arts broadly, which includes learning skills on the pole, aerial hoop and aerial silk fabrics. From there, he has intermediate classes to choose from.

Harrisburg resident Bryanna has many friends involved in aerial arts, and she always wanted to try, she said. So, after stumbling upon Metropolis while walking through the neighborhood, she decided to sign up for a class.

“I was feeling a bit nervous,” said Bryanna, who is in her early 50s. “But Mikee was super warm and welcoming. I was totally excited after the first lesson.”

In just a few months, Bryanna could climb the pole, spin and participate in choreographed dances.

“Even after the second lesson, my friends were super impressed,” she said. “I really have progressed a lot.”

Spinning Success

Bentz explained how everyone is welcome at Metropolis. People of all fitness levels and ages can be successful.

His passion for acceptance is something that he says is right in his name.

“I’m Mikee with two E’s and the two E’s stand for the environment and everyone,” he said. “Those are my two greatest causes and commitments. I try to do everything to be as kind to the earth as I can. I also try to utilize unconditional love.”

It’s something that Bentz hasn’t always felt from others, but, through self-exploration and self-care, he said that he is now in a place to share it.

“It’s really being in tune with myself and my own wellness and health journey, and then I can be able to use those tools to help others,” he said.

Beyond physical improvements, Bryanna has found that pole dancing has given her time to relax mentally.

“You get the muscle movement, but it’s graceful,” she said. “It gives you a chance to break away from life and work.”

She plans to continue taking classes and recommended the studio to anyone who is interested in aerial arts.

While Bentz has had a number of dedicated students since he opened, he hopes that more people will give the sport a try. It’s not easy, but anyone can give it a shot, he said.

“Done is better than perfect,” Bentz said. “Just showing up to your first class, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s done. Now, you can move on to classes two through 1,000, and we will see where we go.”

Metropolis is located at 202 North St., Harrisburg. For more information and to sign up for classes, visit www.metropolishbg.com

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Standing Tall: Lawrence McNeil found Bethesda Mission, then found recovery

March 31, 2022 | by Jeff Falk

Illustration by Ryan Spahr

The Lawrence McNeil story is a truly unique one. It is an inspirational story of transformation and triumph and perseverance.

It also is the story of the Bethesda Mission. In fact, McNeil’s story is so intertwined with the Bethesda Mission’s that his couldn’t have happened without it.

McNeil first encountered Bethesda Mission when his then-treatment center brought him there.

“When I got out of the car, I looked up the steps, and it was the Bethesda Mission,” he said. “When I walked up the steps I cried, because I didn’t think it was the place I needed to be. The whole time my mind was saying, ‘This is not the place for me.’ It looked like a place where bums go to.”

That was 24 years ago, and, today, McNeil’s part-time position as a house supervisor at the Bethesda Mission is his new “side hustle.” His full-time gig is as a certified recovery specialist, but he’s also working towards his college degree in alcohol and drug counseling.

McNeil is kind of on his own personal mission to give back the services he received at Bethesda Mission. But his motivation is more related to behavior modeling that any sense of indebtedness.

“The reason I decided to give back is that it made sense to me,” McNeil said. “This is the best lifestyle for me. It’s not about the money. For me, money was always the problem. I put money before God. Once you let God be your source, God will provide the money. I don’t make a lot of money, but I don’t need a lot of money.”

Had to Change

From Philadelphia via Williamsport, McNeil arrived on the steps of the Bethesda Mission on Reily Street in Harrisburg in 1998. At that time, he was a young man in his mid-30s—broken, lost and in denial.

Bethesda Mission opened its doors of hope and transformation, and McNeil walked through them. But not a walk—a blind leap of faith.

“At that time, I was trying to get off crack cocaine and alcohol,” said McNeil, now a 59-year-old resident of Harrisburg. “A lot of times when addicts get things, they don’t keep them. They have one high, and their only thought is about the next high.”

Bethesda Mission is a faith-based organization that aids men and women in need through counseling, social services, shelter, financial aid and employment training. In the people business since 1914, it has helped thousands of people like McNeil get back on their feet, stand tall and aim high.

“Everything in my lifestyle is about helping others and recovery, and it’s all because of the Bethesda Mission,” said McNeil. “I learned I had to change, and I learned how to change.”

He also learned that he couldn’t do it by himself.

“Once my thinking changed, my beliefs changed,” he said. “I figured out that God was the one who I needed to run my ideas by first.”

In 2010, a relapse landed McNeil in the Coal Township State Institute of Corrections. But it was a setback in the long recovery process, not a step back. Temporary, not permanent.

McNeil made the most of his prison time by earning his GED, finishing a high school education he had started some 30 years earlier.

“I had become a drug dealer, a person with no feelings,” he said. “I tried to get his money and your money. But I did my time in prison. I got right back into my recovery. I worked the whole time when I was in jail. When I left, all the guards stood up and told me I was going to be successful.”

Different Walks

McNeil grew up in north Philly in the 1970s and ‘80s, in a relatively stable, traditional, God-fearing environment. But during his adolescence, he strayed and ultimately fell in with the wrong crowd.

“Back then, all of my idols were the guys who hung out on the street corner,” he said.

Twenty-two years of wedded bliss, six children and 14 grandchildren later, McNeil has matured, and his life has stability. He’s still in recovery. He continues to attend Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous Meetings, and Bethesda Mission remains a large part of his life.

“You have to have a place where you can be transformed,” he said. “You have to have people around you who are like you, and you have to be structured, or restructured.”

Not everyone at Bethesda Mission shares McNeil’s life story. In fact, he wanted to clear up a misconception about the men there.

“Not everybody is there because they were on drugs or they went to prison,” he said. “Some just fell on hard times or they don’t have a place to live.”

He emphasized that men’s shelter residents all have their own unique life stories, as individual as the people themselves.

“It’s all different walks of life, and once you get in there, you can see them and choose the one you want to gravitate towards,” he said. “That’s what the Bethesda Mission does, and that’s what the Bethesda Mission continues to do.”

Bethesda Mission’s men shelter is located at 611 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.bethesdamission.org.

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